Method of installing wooden bottoms in tanks



Dec. 3, 1940. c. s. ZIGLER METHOD OF INSTALLING WOODEN BOTTOMS IN TANKS l Filed May 14, 1957 5 sha-@termen 1 n l ll In |n a Ll Il l Il Il [l lll DeC., 3, 19. Q s ZlGLER 2,223,7"3

METHOD 0F INSTALLING WOODEN BOTTOMS IN TANK-s Filed May 14, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 3, 1940.

C.. S. ZlGLER METHOD OF INSTALLING WQODEN BOTTOMS IN TANKS Filed May 14, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet T5 @Wmzzgzef Patented Dec. 3, 1940 PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF INSTALLING WOODEN BOTTOMS IN TANKS Carl S. Zigler, Gladewater, Tex., assigner to William P. Lincoln, Shreveport, La., doing business as Lincoln Tank Company Application May 14, 1937, Serial No. 142,682

Claims.

This invention relates to wooden bottoms for oil storage tanks and the like and, among other objects, aims to provide 'a novel method of installing wooden bottoms in leaky oil storage 5 tanks or cylindrical containers originally having the usual sheet metal bottom. Another aim of the invention is to provide a method of making Wooden bottoms or oors for sheet metal tanks of this type in the process of erection. Also, the invention provides an improved floor structure or false noor for tanks of this character which is not subject to corrosion and can easily be calked to keep it watertight.

Other aims and advantages of the invention will appear in the specification when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of an ordinary sheet metal storage tank'having the improved wooden oor applied thereto; I

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is another fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. l, the clean-out cover plate being removed and the bottom being shown in the process of completion;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the tank shown in Fig. 5; l

Fig. `7 isa fragmentary horizontal sectional View similar to Fig. 5 but showing a modied form of bottom;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing a bottom applied to a tank in the process of erection;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line III-I0 of Fig. 8.

First referring to the process of installing what may be termed a false bottom in an old oil storage tank, it is well known that the life of such tanks is comparatively short because the usual steel bottoms are rapidly corroded by salt water on the inside andrust, due to ground dampness, on the outside. The salt water on the inside is heavier than the oil and remains at the bottom below the usual level of the drain plugs. The ordinary systems of repair necessitate that such tanks be torn down and when they are made in sections, that the bottom staves be removed and replaced and the bottom renewed. This is a very expensive operation. This invention provides a simple and economical method of providing false wooden bottoms in such tanks and greatly prolonging their life.

In Figs. 1 to (i inclusive, there is shown an ordinary bolted storage tank I0. However, the invention. also applies to riveted and welded tanks. -In this instance, the tank is shown as having vertical staves Il extending throughout its height, but it is to lbe understood that such staves are sometimes made in vertical sections. The staves have the usual bolted lap joints and the securing bolts I2 are held against turning by vertical channels I3 on the inside of the tank. The lower ends of the staves have horizontal ilanges I4 which are bolted to the steel bottom I5. In the present example, the tank has a single clean-out opening I6 which is usually closed by a single closure plate bolted around its margin and to the edge of the tank bottom.

In accordance with the present invention and to enable a false wooden bottom to be applied to such a tank, the original cover plate over the clean-out opening is taken 01T and the `bolts at the lower ends of the staves are removed. Then the lower end portions of the vertical channels I3 are cut off to a height slightly above that of the finished height Aof the false bottom to be laid. Floor joists I 1, whichmay be either wood or metal, are next inserted through the clean-out opening and laid parallel with and spaced from each other on the metal bottom to support the wooden bottom. They'are shown as being laid across and at substantially right angles to aI diameter passing through the clean-out opening. A series of boards I8 to make the bottom are next sawed to the proper length and contour to t the inside of the tank walls. In this instance, plain boards are shown, but it is to be understood that they may have tongue and groove or ship lap joints. They are also inserted through the cleanout opening and laid across the joists, parallel with a diameter passing through the opening, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, leaving a single space vaccessible through the clean-out opening for the insertion of a diagonally ripped board producing complemental wedge pieces I9 and 20, the wedge piece I9 being inserted first and the other wedge piece Z0 being adapted to be driven in to expand the bottom at right angles thereto. The inner ends of the two wedge pieces are cut to fit the contour of the inside wall of the tank opposite the clean-out opening and the length of the wedge piece 20 is such that it will be tight when driven home. However, its small end may be understood that the bolts at the vertical marginal'. edges of the opening below the level of the seal.

ing bottom are inserted before the bottomis installed. They are shown as having countersunk heads in the tank wall so that they do not interfere with the laying of the boards. Next, a

hoop or steel band 22 is placed around the bot-v tom end portions of the staves just opposite-the ends or edges of the bottom boards on a level with the center of the sealing bottom and it is tightened by one or more turnbuckles 23 to prevent the tank from expanding when calked. The' sealing bottom is then thoroughly calked with oakum or the like around the tank wall and at the lower section of the clean-out plate. Next, a removable closure plate section 24 is bolted to thev margin of the clean-out opening and to the upper margin of the lower plate section 2 l Then, the installation is complete and the tank is ready for further use. Y

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the sealing bottom is shown as being wedged in by two pairs of complemental wedges composed of wedge pieces 25-25 and 2128, each pair extending to the center of the tank bottom and projecting through diagonally opposed clean-out openings. This arrangement provides for much greater wedging action by reducing the friction between the Wedges required to expand the bottom. The opposed wedge pieces will be driven in at the same time to prevent displacement of the bottom boards and the abutting ends will be thoroughly calked after the bottom is laid. The opposed clean-out openings are closed in the same manner as explained in connection with the single clean-out opening described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6.

' In Figs. 8, 9 and 10, there is shown a tank having a wooden bottom installed therein during the process of erection. The usual steel bottom'is dispensed with because a wooden bottom will last longer. In this instance, the ground is first leveled oif and the joists or sills 29 are laid parallel with each other. In this instance, each of the yjoists extends beyond the circumference of the tank so that the bottom flanges of the staves may rest thereon. Next, the bottom or floor boards 30 are lcut .and laid on ,the joists so that they are the pr'oper size for the tank. Wedgepieces 3|-32 and 33-34 similar to those shown in Fig. 7 are loosely laid in a board space left for the purpose and the tank wall 35 is built or assembled on the joists around the bottom boards. It will be noted that the two sets of wedge pieces project through opposite clean-out openings `as in Fig. '7. The job is completed in the same manner as has already been explained.

The new floor installed in this manner is not sub-` ject to corrosion. Even when the chime of the tank corrodes around the bottom, .the bottom boards may be taken out and raised b-y putting in new door joists on top of the old ones inside of the tank and again laying the boards in the same manner as is done in applying a false bot,- tom to an old metal tank.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that wooden floors or bottoms of this type, which may be and preferably are made of redwood,

cypress or the like, are very easily and economically installed. They will last almost indefinitely. Bottoms of this type maybe applied in old tanks and prolong their usefulness until Obviously, the present invention is not limited to thel particular embodiments thereof hereinv 'shown and described. Moreover, the method is capableV of various changes within the scope of theappended claims.`

What is claimed is:

`1. That method'of installing a Wooden bottom in a cylindrical vsheet metal liquid storage tank or the like having a clean-'out opening, which comprises cutting boards to t the contour of the tank; laying the boards within the tank parallel with eachother'leaving a board spacesubstantially in the middle lof thetank; inserting complemental wedge shaped pieces in `said space through the clean-fout opening; andtightening the wedge pieces to expand the boards against theinside wall of the tank. v

2. That method of installing a wooden bottom in anold sheet metal liquid storage tank having a clean-out opening near the bottom which comprises laying joists'on` theA original tank bottom across a diameter which passes through the clean-out opening; cutting boards to t inside the tank; laying the boards on the joists substantially parallel with said diameter, leaving a board saidwedge pieces; calking the bottom at the joints; and securing a removable closure plate section on the remainder of the clean-out opening.

3. That method of installing a Wooden'bottom in an old sheet metal liquid storage tank having at leastone clean-out opening atk the bottom which comprises cutting boards to fit inside the tank; inserting them through the clean-out opening and laying them abovethe old bottom, leaving a board space accessible'through a clean-out opening; ripping at least one board diagonally to produce wedge pieces; driving said wedge pieces in said space to expandand seal the laid bottom against the inside wall; and securing sealing closure sections to the clean-out openings.- Y

4. 'I'hat-method of installing, afwooden bottom in an old sheet metalfliquid storagetank having diametrically opposed clean-out openings at the bottom which comprises laying .joists on the old bottom across a diameter passing through the clean-out openings; fitting boards to the inside tank wall and laying them across the joists parallel with said diameter leaving a board space inthe middleaccessible through saidclean-outopenings; ripping a pair of boards diagonally to produce complemental wedge pieces; insertingthe wedgepieces endwise into the clean-out openof the bottom to expand and seal the entire botv71) ings and tightening them to meet near the center tom; cutting off the projecting ends ofthe wedge 'l pieces; calking thebottoniat the joints; and securing closures on said openings. f

5. That method of installing a Wooden bottom in a sheet metal liquid storage tank which comprises laying a series of joists o-n the ground to supportthe tank; cutting floor boards to t the contour of the tank and laying them on the joists; laying expanding Wedge pieces in the middle portion of the floor With their outer ends extending beyond the confines of the tank; erecting the tank stai/es on the joists around the edge of the laid floor with clean-out openings accommodating said protruding ends of the Wedge pieces; then tightening the Wedges to expand and seal the bottom against the inside tank Wall; cutting oil the protruding ends of the Wedge pieces; and securing closures over said openings.

CARL S. ZIGLER. 

